Hydraulically driven machine tool



March 9, 1954 E. s. CORN ELL 2,671,

HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN MACHINE TOOL Filed Dec. 16, 1950 9 Sheet s-Shee't l 218 no a2 34 March 9, 1954 E. s. CORNELL HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN MACHINE TOOL 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 16, 1950 March 9, 1954 E. s. CORNELL 2,671,294

HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN MACHINE TOOL Filed Dec. 16, 1950 9Sheets-Sheet 4 March 9, 1954 E15. CORNELL HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN MACHINE TOOL 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 16, 1950 March 9, 1954 E. s. CORNELL HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN MACHINE TOOL 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 16, 1950 March 9, 1954 E. s. CORNELL 2,671,294

HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN MACHINE TOOL Filed Dec. 16, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 March 9, 1954 E. s. co NE 2,671,294 HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN MACHINE TOOL Filed Dec. 16, 1950 9 Sheets-$113M 8 March 9, 1954 E, R E 2,671,294

HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN MACHINE TOOL Filed Dec. 16, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Mar. 9, 1954 HYDRAULICALLY DRIVEN MACHINE TOOL Elton Stiles Cornell, East Providence, R. I., as-

signor to Abrasive Machine Tool- Company, East Providence, R. 1., a corporation of Rhode Island Application December 16, 1950, Serial No. 201,145

This invention relates to improvements in machine tools of the general type which have a reciprocable work table, a tool holder, and a cross-feed slide or saddle on which either the work table or the tool holder may be mounted for movements transversely of the directionsof reciprocating travel of the work table. More particularly, the invention provides an improved hydraulic system for reciprocating the work table and for operating the cross-feed slide or saddle of such machine tools, it being herein illustrated and described as it may be embodied in a surface grinding machine in which the work table is mounted on the cross-feed slide or saddle for travel transversely of the directions of reciprocating travel of the work table. A rotary grinding wheel is mounted on a tool support which is vertically adjustable toward and from the work table on a fixed supporting part of the machine, so that a work piece on the work table is carried past the rotating grinding wheel as the work table reciprocates. Cross-feed of the tablecarrying slide or saddle may be selectively accomplished to provide automatic selective sized increment cross-feed in precisely timed relation to reversals of the reciprocating table or to provide continuous power cross-feed which is manually controllable for varying the speed of the cross-feed. Also, the hydraulic system may be conditioned for manual cross-feed, when desired, and an interlock is provided whereby the manual feed becomes positively locked against operation when the power feed is operable, and vice versa. The invention additionally provides improvements whereby the reciprocating movements of the work table and the transverse movements of the cross-feed slide or saddle are more efiectively controlled and coordinated as compared with controls as heretofore proposed for comparable purposes. Also, a more efficient utilization of the available hydraulic power is attained in conjunction with substantial reduction of generated heat. This latter feature is of major importance where precision dimensioning of work is essential, such as in surface grinding operations where, with prior hydraulic systems, the generated heat frequently has prevented needed precision dimensioning of work.

It is among the objects of the invention to pro vide a machine tool of the mentioned general description wherein hydraulic reciprocation of a work table and hydraulic increment feed of a cross-feed slide or saddle are precisely and permanently properly timed so that each automatic increment of cross-feed can occur only at a pre- 24 Claims. (Cl. 51-92) 2 determined exact time in each process of automatic reversal of the work table. According to the invention, a rotary table-reversing valve 'srves also to control the automatic increment cross-feed of the cross-feed slide or saddle, whereby the properly timed relation of the increxn'ent cross-feed to the table reversals is built into the single table-reversing valve unit and cannot become altered. The table-reversing valve precisely times the admission of pressure fluid to a cross-feed motor for increment crossfed and also precisely times a measured exhaust from the cross-feed motor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine tool of the mentioned general description wherein automatic hydraulic increment cross-feed of a cross-feed slide or saddle is precisely timed with respect to reversals of a hydraulically reciprocated work table, and wherein the amount of each increment of cross-feed is determined by an adjustable control of the exhaust from a cross-feed motor. According to the invention, pressure fluid is intermittently admitted to a hydraulic cross-feed motor, but each intermittent operation of the motor, for increfient cross-feed, is controlled by selecting a proper measured amount of fluid which will be permitted to exhaust from the cross-feed motor during each intermittent operation thereof, each iiieasured amount of exhaust fluid being subseduently released while the supply of pressure Quid is cut ofi from the motor.

, ffYet another object of the invention is to pro- ,ti ide a machine tool of the mentioned generaldescription wherein hydraulic reciprocation of a work table is controlled by a rotary table-reversvalve which also times the increment crossfeed of a cross-feed slide or saddle, and wherein a flow-control valve is manually adjustable to vary the flow of pressure fluid to the table cylinders without reducing the flow of pressure fluid available for increment cross-feed. The invention provides for varying the speed of travel of the work table by manually adjusting a flowcontrol valve, but the increment cross-feed is effected by a full or maximum fiow of the pressure fluid whereby a maximum amount of increment cross-feed is attained regardless of how much the table speed may be throttled.

A further object is to provide a machine tool of the mentioned general description wherein the hydraulic reciprocations of a work table are controlled by a rotary table reversing valve which, in efiecting a reversal of the table, gradually restricts the exhaust from one table cylinder and plishes each reversal without shock. The tabler..

reversing valve has three longitudinal surface grooves for registering with conduits leading'to 4 valve against movement to its running positions. Yet another object is to provide a machine tool of the mentioned general description wherein a work table is hydraulically reciprocated and a cross-feed slide or saddle may be hydraulically operated for either continuous or increment 'cross-feed and also may 'be-manually operated, -and wherein a relatively short cross-feed direction control valve has one position for automatic .cross-feed in one direction, another position for the table cylinders, and each surface groovehas. a peripheral surface grooveor nozzle of gradually diminishing area extending laterally. therefrom;

at at least one side of each longitudinal groove. Hence, as a longitudinal surface groove is. movautomatic cross-feed in the opposite direction,

' and a neutral position in which the inlet and exhaust of the cross-feed motor are connected together for manual operation of the cross-feed, there being a positive interlock whereby the manual means is locked against operative engagement excepting when the cross-feed direcing toward or from registration with a cylinder conduit, its peripheral surface groove ..acts to; gradually increase or decrease the fluid flow to or from the longitudinal surface groove. By thus simultaneously gradually restricting both inflow to and exhaust from the table cylinders to effect deceleration and stopping of table travel in one direction, and then gradually increasing both inflow and exhaust for starting and accelerating the table in the opposite direction, a substantially faster table reversal is effected without shock. I

Still another object is to provide a machine tool of the mentioned general description wherein hydraulic reciprocations of a work table are controlled by a table-reversing valve which also serves to control automatic increment cross -feed of a cross-feed slide or saddle in precisely and permanently timed relation to the table reversals, and wherein the said valve is positively oscillated by table dogs whose positions on the table determine the points in table travel at which the valve will be operated regardless of variations in the speed of travel of the table. According to the invention, the table-reversing valve has alever on one end disposed to be engaged and rocked by suitably positioned table dogs, whereby the valve is rotated at the same reversingpoints in table travel whether the travel is fast or slow. Provision for an exact reversin point, unaffected by changes in table speed, is a decided advantage in a tool room surface grinder, and in cases where grinding must proceed close to an obstruction.

Another object is to provide a machine tool of the mentioned general description wherein a work table is hydraulically reciprocated, and a cross-feed slide or saddle may be hydraulically driven either for continuousv orincrementicrossfluid to escape to the supply reservoir through 'one or more relief valves, with substantial generation of heat.

Another object is to provide a machine to olof the mentioned general description. wherein ,a

Work table is hydraulically reciprocated and ihas provision also for manual operation, and wherein a start and stop valve, when in its-running position, positive y interlocks the manual;means against operative engagement, and the manual means, when engaged, positivelylinterlocks'{the tional control valve is in its neutral position, and a: positive interlock whereby the power feed is rendered inoperative whenever the manual feed vmeans is in operative engagement.

.It is moreover, my purpose and object generally to improve the structure and efiiciency of .hydraulically driven machine tools.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a surface grindigng machine embodying features of the invenion; 1

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine of Fig. 1 on a larger scale, the base and grinding wheel supporting column being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on line 3--3 of Fig. 2; F Fig; 4 is a cross-sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional View on line 55 of .Fig. 4;

s Fig. 6 is across-sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

- Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view on line 1-1 of F 5; F'Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view on line 8-4! of Figs. 9-11 are cross-sectional views on'line 8-9 of Fig. 8 showing the table-reversing valve in three -diiferent'positions and showing the start and stop valve in two .difierent positions;

, Fig. 12 is a fragmentary top plan view of the actuating lever on the upper end of the tablereversing valve;

Fig. 13 is a'fragmentary top plan view, in section on line l 3 l3 of Fig. 2, showing the adjustable load and fire mechanism for increasing the speed of operations of the table-reversing valve in response to table-dog-en gagements of its actuating lever;

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of the hydraulic system of the machine;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view on line I5--l5 of Fig. 8. I Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view on line iii-l6 *of Fig.8;

"for the start and stop valve, and for the table interlock, which is shown with bearing parts in cross-section;

Figs. 18a is a cross-sectional 'view on line .Fig. 19 is an .end elevation of one pair ofball race bars with the balls and aball retainer mem- -ber-operative1y mounted, therebetween;

, Fig. 20 is aside elevation of one of the'race actuate bars with, the retainer member andballs operatively associated therewith;

Fig. 21 illustrates a modified form of table-reversing valve which is axially slidabl'e for controlling table travel and cross-feed of the crossieed slide or saddle; and

Figs. 22*24 are crosssectional views respectifely on lines 22-22, 23-23, and 24-24, of Fig. 2

' ferring to the drawings, the surface grinding machine as therein illustrated has abase 1'0 with the rear portion thereof extending upward a substantial distance beyond the forward portion to provide a column 12 on which the grinding wheel I4 is supported for rotation on a horizontal axis. A cross-feed slide or saddle is, indicatedgenerally at 16, mounted on the forward part of the base I ll for movements toward and from the col- 12. The cross-feed saddle it has the V- ways [8 therein crossing the directions of its travel toward and from the column 12, and a work table 20 is mounted on the cross-feed saddie it for movements along the V-ways l8. The grinding wheel 14 may be driven in any conventional manner, and may he raised and lowered by any conventional means which may include the hand wheel 22'.

The cross-feed saddle l6 preferably is mounted on ball-bearings 24, a series of which are rotatably retained in spaced circular holes 26 inv each of two retainer members 28 which latter serve as dust covers for the ways along which saddle i6 is movable. One of the retainer members 28, with balls 24 therein, extends along each end of the forward part of the base It with its balls engaging between right-angularly grooved race-way bars 30, 32, secured in any suitable manner respectively on the base and on the under side of saddle It. The retainer members 28 and the balls 24 are free to move longitudinally relative to the race-way bars 30, 32 within limits which are determined by abutments 34 against which the stop pins 36 on the retainer members engage at. the opposite limits of travel of the retainer members. A cross-iced screw 38 is rotatably anchored on the saddle I5 and threadedly engages a fixed nut 40 on the base H1, whereby the saddle may be fed in either direction along the racebars 30'by rotating the cross-feedscrew 38 in the proper direction.

' According to the invention, the work table is hydraulically reciprocated on the ways l8 of the saddle l6 and there is provision for coordinated hydraulic increment feed of the saddle l6 along the race-way strips on base 10, as well as for continuous. cross-feed of saddle 16 either hydraulically or manually.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 14, two cylinders 42, 44 are rigidly mounted in the part 16a of the saddle l6, and two rams 46, 48 are rigidly connected respectively to brackets 20a, 28b which are rigid on opposite end portions of the table 20. The rams extend in oppo- "sitedirections into the respective cylinders, ram

displacement pump 52 is employed to ensure that 6 a maximum cross-feed may be had of how slow the table may be operating;

In the diagrammatic showing of Fig. 14, the arrows indicate that the rams 4E, 48 are moving to the left, for moving the work table. 24 to the left. Oil under pressure is delivering into cylinder 42 and oil is exhausting from cylinder 44. However, before oil under pressure reaches cylin' der 42, it is delivered from the pump 52, through pipe 56 to a conduit 58 whence it passes through conduit 68 to a flow-control valve 62 which is rotatable and also slidable between two operative positions. When valve 62 is in its position of Figs. 4-6 and 14, oil under pressure passes through conduit 64 from flow control valve 62 to a generally vertically disposed'rotary tables-reversing valve indicated generally at 66. Groove 63' of valve 62 is in register with conduit 60 and conduit 55. Pressure oil from conduit 64 delivers between spools 68, 10 of table-reversing valve 66 and enters the groove 12 which is shown-dotted at the far side of the spool I0, in Figs. 8 and 1'4, in register with a conduit 14 leading to the cylinder 42. Fig. 10 shows groove 12 just leaving registration with cylinder conduit 74w. By manually rotating valve 62 in its position of Figs. 4-6, the amount of pressure fluid passing to reversing valve 66 may be controlled thereby to vary the speed of reciprocating travel of Work table 28.

A similar conduit Hi-extends between spool!!! and the cylinder 44, it being shown in Figs. 8 and 14, in register with a groove 18 which is shown dotted at the far side of spool 10. Fig-10 shows this groove I8 just leaving registration with cylinder conduit 16. Groove 18 opens into an annular space between spool l0 and an adjacent spool 8c of tablen'eversing valve 66. Hence, oil exhausting from cylinder 44 delivers between spools H1, 80, and a main exhaust conduit 84 is constantly connected to this space between spools It, 80, through which exhaust oil from cylinder 44 delivers into return conduit 81a leading back to reservoir 50.

Actually, spool ID has two-similar diametrically opposite grooves for handling exhaust'oil from the cylinders 42, 44, the groove [8 handling exhaust from cylinder 44, as above explained, anda groove 19 handling exhaust from cylinder 42', me similar manner when the table-reversing valve 661s rotated through 9 0 from its position of Figs. 4-6, 8

and 14, to bring groove [9 into register with the cylinder conduit 14. Figs. 9-11 show the table reversing valve 66 in cross section on line 940i Fig. 8. Fig. 9 shows the positions of the grooves 72, 78 and 19 relative to the cylinder conduits 14, 16 when the valve is in its position for table movement to the left in Figs. 2 and 14. Fig. 10' shows the valve rotated slightly counter-clockwise from its position of Fig. 9 as when the table is decelerating. Fig. 11 shows the valve rotated counter-clockwise from its position 0! Fig; 9-10! movement of the table to the right in Figs. 2 and 14.

Referring to the cross-sectional views of the table-reversing valve 66, as seen in Figs. 9-11; a

feature of importance resides in the provision for gradual restriction of both the inlet and-thee!- haust as the valve rotates to stop travel ot'the work table 28 in either direction. The single groove 12 for handling pressure oil has the oppositely disposed shallower grooves 12a. and no can tending laterally from groove 12 at the opposite Sides thereof, and each groove 78, H has a similar lateral groove 18a, l9a extending from it, at that side which'is toward the groove 72'. fiencepas the .actuating lever 82.

7 table-reversing valve 66 is rotated either direction, the lateral grooves coact with the main grooves 12, 18 and 19 to effect a gradual restricting or throttling of both the pressure oil going to one cylinder 42 or 44 and the exhaust oil coming from the other cylinder. This provides a cushioned deceleration, avoids hydraulic hammer, and ensures that acceleration will be slow and smooth notwithstanding the rapidity of move- .ment of valve 66. Balancing grooves preferably are provided opposite the grooves 12, 12a and 12b, as shown in Fig. 16, for equalizing lateral thrust, they being omitted in Figs. 9-11.

In the event that the table dogs do not stop the travel of the table, for any reason, the table will be-gently stopped at either extremity of travel by coaction of a relatively short chamber 42a or 44a at the outer end of each cylinder 42, 44, whose walls closely receive the end portion of a ram 46 or 48 during the final travel of the ram, and the end surface portions of the rams have longitudinal tapering grooves 47, 49 therein for restricted escape of oil becoming trapped in the end chambers 42a, 44a. The final travel of the rams is thereby effectively cushioned and the rams brought to rest before a ram can strike the end of a cylinder.

Table-reversing valve 66 is rotatably mounted in a valve casing on the cross-slide saddle I6 with its axis vertical, and with its upper end projecting above the saddle and equipped with an actuating lever indicated generally at 82. Lever 82 has a handle 84 thereon by which the tablereversing valve 66 may be manually rotated. However, projections 82a, 82b on lever 82 intermittently are in position to be engaged by the table dogs 86 which may be selectively positioned along the slots 88 in table 20. When the table is moving in one direction, one of the dogs 86 ultnnately will engage a lever projection 82a or 82?) and move it to automatically rotate tablereversing valve 66 in direction to eifect deceleration and reversal of the table as earlierdescribed.

According to the invention, each reversing actuation of the table-reversing valve 60 is ac- .complished on a load-and-fire principle which provides extremely rapid actuations of the valve. As best seen in Fig. 13, a cam member 90 is fixed on the upper end portion of valve 66, below the mounted in a housing 94 which encloses cam member 90, and the plunger has a roller 96 at ,one end constantly held against cam member 90 by the relatively long coil spring 98. One end of the spring 98 is seated deep within a chamber I in plunger 92 and its other end is engaged by an adjustable plug I02 which may be adjusted in housing 94 to vary the resilient pressure holding roller 96 against cam member 90. The cam member has a generally heart shape, including the two similar cam portions 90a, 90b, and the two abutment portions 9Ia, 9Ib. Assuming that table is moving to the left in Fig. 2, the right-hand table dog 86 ultimately will engage the lever projection 82a, as best seen in Fig. 12, and will rotate the lever and valve 66 counter-clockwise in Fig. 12. When this counter-clockwise movement of valve 66 proceeds to a stage where the peak 900 of cam member 90 (Fig. 13) passes the center line of plunger 92, the spring 98 will have been compressed or loaded and its recoil action will drive plunger 92 toward the cam member, causing the latter to rapidly rotate until the abutment portion 9Ib stops against the roller 96. This load-and-fire action in the reversing actuations A plunger 92 is slidably of valve 66 greatly increases the speed of reversals of the table, and the speed of the recoil travel of the plunger may be varied by adjusting plug I02. However, the main advantages, as compared with pilot operated reverse valves, are that the table can reverse at the same point at any given table speed, and the point of reversal does not vary with changes of table speed.

A feature of importance is that the same tablereversing valve 66 which controls the fiow of oil to and from the cylinder '42, 44 also controls the operation of a gear motor which effects cross-feed of the saddle I6. This ensures that the table travel and the automatic cross-fed always must be in properly timed relation during automatic increment cross-feed.

The cross-feed motor comprises a relatively large gear I04 which is fixed on the outer end of the cross-feed screw 38 which is rotatably fixed at the under side of saddle IS. The cross-feed screw threadedly engages the fixed nut 40 on base I0, whereby rotation of the screw effects crosstravel of the saddle I6 on base I0. A smaller gear I06 meshes with gear I04, it being fixed on a shaft I08 whose outer end is equipped with one element IIO of a clutch whose other element H2 is on the end of a short shaft II4 which is slidably mounted in the apron I! of saddle IS. The outer end of shaft II4 has hand wheel H6 thereon by which the clutch element H2 may be thrust inward to engage clutch element IIO, after which the cross-feed screw 38 may be manually rotated by rotating the hand wheel I I6.

However, an interlock, later to be described,

, locks hand wheel H6 against clutch engagement whenever the gear motor is connected for receiving pressure fluid.

The motor gears I04 and I06 are closely confined wtihin a motor housing II8 on the under side of saddle I6, behind the apron I1. A crossfeed directional valve I20 is slidably mountedin housing I22 and has its forward end projecting through apron l1 and connected to an operating lever I24. This valve I20 has one relatively long spool part I20a, a relatively short spool part I20b slightly spaced from part I20a. to provide the annular groove I2Ia between these parts, and a relatively short part I200 substantially spaced inward from part I20b to provide the relatively long annular groove I2Ib between parts I20b and I200. The longer spool part I20a. has a hole I26 extending diagonally through it and opening into a surface groove I28 therein. When the valve is in its innermost position of Fig. 4, one end of the diagonal hole I26 is in register with a conduit I30 leading from table-reversing valve 66, and the surface groove I28 is in register with a conduit I32 in the motor casing which leads to the region of meshing of the motor gears I04, I06 and continues at the other side of the meshing gears, opening through the motor casing I I8. However, a tube or pipe I34 is connected tothe conduit I32 where it opens out of the casing, for conducting oil exhausting from the gear motor back to the cross-feed directional valve I20 which has a surface groove I36 in register with the pipe conduit and opening into the annular groove [2 la between the valve parts I20a, I20b. An exhaust conduit I38 also is in register with annular groove I2Ia. Hence, when table-reversing valve 66 is in a position to pass pressure oil to the cross-feed directional valve I 20, assuming the latter valve to be in its innermost position, the pressure oil enters and operates the gear motor to rotate the cross-feed screw 38, with the exdescribed.

Reversal of the gear motor is effected by;

manual actuation of operating lever I24 in direction to shift the-directional valve I to a forward position in which the annular groove I2Ia.

registers with the conduit I leading from'table reversing valve 66. At the same time the longer annulargroove I2Ib of valve I 20 will be in register with the conduit. I32 and with the exhaust con" duit I38. When valve I20 is in an intermediateneutral position, with groove I2 la in register with conduit I32, conduit I30 will be closed and motor conduits I32, I34 will be connected together by, annulargroove 1 21a and surface groove I36, per-" mitting free bi-lateral flow for manual operation of the cross-feed screw 38 by means of' hand wheel II6.

As best seen in Fig; 4, an interlock is provided whereby'the' clutch elements I I0, II2, for manual cross-feed; can be engagedonly when the cross-i feed directional valve I20 is in its neutral position.- A'lo'cking pin I40 has one end slidably engaged in a hole I42 in the outer end portion of the cas'-. ing for valve I20, and has its other end slidably engaged in a hole I44 in a wall of a chamber I06 within which the clutch element II2 normally is retracted. The endof pin I40 which is in hole I'42'has conical'shape as at-I40a and rests against the forwardly extending shank of valve I20" when the latter in :its innermost position of Fig. 41 and .also when itis in its outermost-position. However-,the valve shank has a conical depression' I48 therein which comes opposite the pin I40 when the'valve is in: its intermediate, neutral position, so thatithe conical end of the pin can e'n'terthis conical depression I48. 'At its-other end, pin I40 is tapered, at'l40b, and clutch element H2 has an annular groove I50 therein with correspondingly tapering walls. The pin I40 has length such that, when the conical end I40a thereof is in engagement with the periphery of the shank of valve I20, as in Fig. 4,- the tapered. end I40b thereof will be projectedinto groove I50 of clutch element 2' preventingxinward movement ofclutch element I I2into engagement with clutch-element IIO. But, whenthe'deprea sion I46 comes oppositethepin 'I40, the; pin can slide enough to disengage its tapered en'dfi'oin the groove I50 of clutch element II'2. after which the clutch may be engaged- Pin I40 'has an inclined position, as shown dotted in Fig. 2.

whereby 'gravity'tends to hold its lower conical end in engagement'with the shank of directional valve I20, and the *coaction'of the conical surfaces 'of the pin and depression I48 cam the pin to its interlocking position of Fig. 4. when the valve I20 is shifted in either direction from its table-reversing valve preparatory to reversal of the direction of travel of the work table 20; As herein represented, the table-reversing v'alv'e rotates through substantially 90* in effecting deceleration and reversal of the table. The inter mittent cross-feed occurs during approximately 95 of the period or table --deceleration whenthe 10 table 'is being driven at one-half its maximum speed.- If the table is being driven at maximum speed,*the maximum cross-feed will occur during approximately 95% of the period of table deceleration and also during the greater part of the period'of table acceleration, which may be approximately 95% of the acceleration period when the load and friction are relatively large. For this purpose, the spool 68 of valve 66 has a surface groove I52 therein open into an annular groove I54 in valve 66. Annular groove I54 is constantly in register with a conduit I56 which leadsfrom conduit 58 into which the pump output from pipe 56 delivers. Surface groove I52 is adapted to register with a conduit I58 in the valve casing, and the conduit I58 is in constant register with conduit I30 leading to the crossfeeddirecticnal valve I 20.

When the work table 20 is reciprocating, the gear motor I04, I06 will be operated intermittently to rotate the cross-feed screw 38, for increment cross-feed of the saddle I6, in one direction or theother vdepending upon the position of the directional valve I20. This intermittent increment cross-feed of saddle I6 necessarily can occur only when the surface groove I52 of table-reversingvalve 66 comes into register with conduit I58 which can happen only during the time when the table 20 is reversing, and the properly timed relation of the ports for table travel and for crossfeed is permanently fixed for the life of the machine because of the integral block structure within which reversing valve 66 operates. However, groove I52 has the lateral peripheral surface extensions I53 for gradual increase and decrease of the pressure flow into conduit I58 when valve 66 is in the process "of reversin table 20. These groove extensions I53 may be omitted under'certain conditions of operating pressures. l' It is important to note that, while the flow of fluid for reciprocating table 20 may be manually controlled by rotating flow-control valve 62, therebyto vary the speed of travel of table 20, the-full volume of the pumped fluid continues available for the intermittent cross-feed regardless of how much the table may be throttled. will be apparent from a consideration of lffigs 5 and 6 wherein it may be seen that conduit I56 constantly is open between supply con- 1 duit 58 and annular groove I54 of table-reversing valve 66, so that incoming fluid, under full pressure constantly stands ready in surface groove I 52 to'entenconduit I58 and pass thence through conduit I30. to cross-feed directional valve I20 whenever surface groove I52 comes into register with conduit I58.

It is a feature of primary importance that the critical control of the increment cross-feed is attained by a predetermined and adjustable measurea exhaust from the cross-feed motor I04, I06 as distinguished from prior proposals which control increment cross-feed by controlling the input of pressure fluid to a cross-feed motor or the like. if AfcQQ T ing to my present invention, and referring to Figs. 8 and 15, the exhaust from cross-feed motor I04, I06 goes through conduit or pipe I34 to the cross-feed directional valve I20. When th e l atter valve is in its position of Fig. 8, the exhaustpasses through valve surface groove I36 into annular groove I2Ia (Fig. 4) when it enters exhaust conduit I38 (Figs. 6, 15). Exhaust conduit -I 36 opens into the inner end of a cylinder I60 which is located adjacent to spool 00 of the tablereversingvalve 66, and an outlet conduit I62 from the-cylinder leads to the spool of table-reversing valve 66. Spool 80 of valve 66 has two longitudinal surface grooves I64, I66 disposed 90?- apart on the spool and these grooves I64, I66 (Figs. 8, 15) are positioned to be out of register with cylinder outlet conduit I62 when pressure fluid is admitted to the cross-feed motor for in crement cross-feed. Hence, when the cross-feed; motor is exhausting, the outlet conduit I62 from; cylinder I60 is closed. As a result, the exhaust from the cross-feed motor accumulates in cylinder I60 which has a measuring piston I68 therein backed by a coil spring I 10. As the exhaust fluid accumulates in cylinder I60, it forces piston I68 outward in the cylinder until the piston is The outer ward substantially beyond the housing part I14 and has a finger knob I16 on its outer end by which the abutment may be manually adjusted. to selectively determine the permissible amount,

of travel of piston I68 in cylinder I60, thereby to predetermine a measured amount of exhaust fluid which can enter cylinder I60.

It will be apparent from the foregoing descrip tion, in connection with Fig. 15, that exhaust fluid from the cross-feed motor, during an intermittent operation of the motor, will force the piston I68 outward until it is stopped by abutment- I12 at which time operation of the motor must stop. Meanwhile spring I10 will have been compressed and loaded for driving the measured quantity of exhaust fluid from cylinder I60 assoon as table-reversing valve 66 shifts to bring an groove I64 or I66 into register with cylinder outlet conduit I62, each of the grooves I64. I66 opening into the annular valve groove between spools 10 and 80 from which the main exhaust conduit 8Ia for the table-reversing valve 66 leads.

Preferably, a shock-absorbing means is provided for the measuring piston I68. As represented, this comprises a plunger I18 operable".

piston through which exhaust fluid can enter within the piston to force the plunger to its outermost position within the piston. Hence, whenf exhaust fluid initially enters cylinder I 60, the

plunger will be forced to its outermost position within the piston as the piston is forced outward in cylinder I60, and it is the plunger I18 that eni, gages abutment I12 to provide a hydraulic cushion for the final outward travel of piston I 68,

due to the gradually diminishing outlet for fluid? which is being forced from within the piston,-

Similarly, when spring I10 drives piston I68 inward, the stem I80 of plunger I 18 first engages I the end wall of cylinder I and the plunger yields hydraulically within the piston to cushion the final movement of the piston.

When the flow control valve 62 is in its innermost position of Figs. 46 and 14, the system will be conditioned for reciprocation of table 20 and for permanently accurately timed intermittent increment cross-feed of slide or saddle I6, as-

suming that cross-feed reversing valve I20 is in either its innermost or outermost positions. speed of travel of table 20, as earlier explained,

The,

may be manually controlled by rotating flow-control valve 62.

However, the invention provides for attaining continuous cross-feed when table 20 is at rest, and for manually controlling the continuous cross feed to provide rapid continuous traverse and, selectively, slower continuous traverse suitable for truing operations on the grinding wheel I4. By ones pulling flow-control valve 62 to its outermost position, its tapering circumferential groove 83 is brought into register with a conduit 6I leading to the valve 62 from inlet chamber 58, and with a conduit I84 which, as best seen in Fig. 4, by-passes the table-reversing valve 66 and connects with conduit I30 leading to crossfeed reversing valve I20. Hence, in the outermost position of valve 62, pressure fluid passes through reversing valve I20 to gear motor I84, I06 and the full volume of the driving fluid is available for continuous rapid cross-feed, although the speed of the continuous cross-feed may be manually controlled by rotating valve 62 in its outermost position. It is important to note, however, that valve 62 cuts off fluid flow to table-reversing valve 66 whenever valve 82 is in its outermost position, thereby ensuring that work table 20 will be at rest before any continuous cross-feed of slide or saddle I6 can be effected.

In addition to the various valves earlier described for controlling the flow of pressure and exhaust oil, or other fluid, a start and stop valve, indicated generally at I86, intervenes between table-reversing valve 66 and the table cylinders 42, 44 and is operable for controlling fluid flow to and from thetable cylinders. As best seen in Figs. 16, 17, valve I 86 is longitudinally slidable between start and stop positions and is constantly biasedto its stop position by the coil spring I88. .In Fig. 16, the valve I86 is shown positioned across the conduits 14a, 16a which lead between'the table-reversing valve 66 and the cylinder conduits 14, 16 respectively. It is in its moved-to-the-left start position, held by the latch member I80, as best seen in Fig. 17. In this "start position of valve I86, an annular groove I82 of the valve registers with conduit 14a and with the entrance to cylinder conduit 14.. The other end of conduit 14a is in register with surface groove 12 of table-reversing valve 66, whereby fluid under pressure passes through valves 68. I86 to the table cylinder 42. Another wider annular groove I94 of valve I86 is in register with conduit 16a and with the entrance to cylinder conduit 16, while the other end of conduit 16a is in register with exhaust surface groove 18 01' table-reversing valve 66. Hence, as pressure fluid enters table cylinder 42, the table cylinder 44 .is open to exhaust. When table-reversing valve 66 is rotated counterclockwise in Fig. 16, to its position of Fig. 11, the surface groove 12 is brought into register with conduit 16a. and the exhaust surface conduit 19 is brought into register with conduit 14a, whereby table cylinder 44 is supplied with pressure fluid while table cylinder 42 is open to exhaust. Fig. 9 shows valve I86 released and pulled by its spring I88 to its 'stop position in which its wider annular groove I84 is in register with both of the conduits 14a, 16a. As herein disclosed, annular groove I 94 is in register also with an exhaust conduit 8Ib (Figs. 15, 16, 17) which is a branch of exhaust conduit 8I leading from the annular groove between spools 10, of table-reversing valve 66. Exhaust fluid in exhaust conduits 8|,

13 Bitmustpass through a check valve 6 (Figs. 14' and 15) before reaching the main exhaust return conduit am, and this check valve I96 is designed and set to provide a relatively small back-pressure in the hydraulic system, such as five pounds, for example. Referring to Figs. 15,17, stop and start valve I86, in its latched operative position, uncovers the exhaust conduit 8Ic so that exhaust fluid passing through check valve I96 (Fig. 16) can pass through conduit 8I-c and thence to main return conduit am. When the valve I86 is released and moves to its stop position of Fig. 9, the annular groove 192 uncovers exhaust conduit 8'Ic and conduit 8Id, so that exhaust passing through the check valve from conduit 8Ib can escape into the main return conduit 8Ia. However, the exhaust conduit 8Ib may be omitted, when desired, inasmuch as oil from annular groove 1 94 of valve I86, when the valve is in its stop position, can go through either conduit (4a or 16a to the reversing valve and thence through the low pressure valve 196 to-the supply tank 50 with only slight tendency to generate heat. When valve I86 is in its "stop position, the wider valve groove I94 connects conduits 14, I6 to each other thereby conditioning the system for manual feed of table 20 by hand wheel I28, without need for releasing each ram to avoid the hydraulic lock which otherwise would result. An important feature is that heat generation is greatly minimized as a result of stopping table travel by connecting together the table cylinders with only a low pressure connection between the cylinders and the oil sup-'- ply tank 50, as compared with the prior proposals which stop the table travel by cutting off the oil supply to the table cylinders and requiring the pressure oil to force its way back to the supply tank through a high pressure relief valve. Also, according to the present disclosure, groove I94 of valve I86 connects each table cylinder to the light back pressure maintained by relief valve 196 to ensure replenishing of any leaks from the table cylinders.

Start and stop valve I86 has its left-hand end a.

bifurcated at I98 and the latch I90 is slidably mounted in a latch lever 200 which is pivotally mounted at 202 between the fur-cations of the valve, as best seen in Fig. 1'7. The lever-has a portion extending from its pivot outwardly through the end wall of the valve housing and extends integrally upward, with its upper end pivotally connected at 208 to one end of an actuating rod 2 I whose other end is connected to a control lever 212 (Fig. 1) by which the stop and start valve I86 may be manually controlled. The upper wall portion of the valve housing .is

notched at 206.

Latch I90 1's slidably mounted in the vertica portion of lever 200, being constantly biased downwardly by a backing spring 2I4. A stop pin 2I6 extends transversely of the lever, and latch I90 has a shoulder I90 adapted to engage pin 2I6 to limit downward travel of the latch. The inner surface of the end wall of the valve housing, adjacent to latch I90, is bevelled at 205, and the'outer portion of the lower end of latch I90 is bevelled at, I9I (Figs. 8 and 17), whereby the latch is cammed upwardly when the bevelled surfaces 205, I9I engage each other during outward movement of the valve, and spring 214 snaps latch I90 to latching position as soon as the latch passes the housing end wall in its outward travel. When latch lever 200 is in its vertical position ofFig. 17, its toe part 20L coacting with the latch, prevents any counter-clockwise movement of the lever about pivot 202, but an actuation of actuating rod 2I0 to the right in Fig. 17 will rock lever 200 clockwise about pivot 202 until latch I90 can slip through the housing end wall under the bias of valve spring I88 which shifts the valve to the right to its stop position of Fig. 9. This latch-releasing movement of actuating rod '2I0 may be in response to a manual actuation of control lever 2I2 or may be automatic in response to coaction of lever 238 and adjustable dogs on a dog rail which is mounted at the left-hand side of the base III, as later described herein.

In conjunction with the described control of start and stop valve I86, the invention provides a positive interlock against manual longitudinal feed of work table 20 excepting when valve I86 is in its stop position. The usual hand wheel 2I8 (Figs. 1, 18) for manual longitudinal feed of table 20 is fixed on a shaft 220 on whose inner end is fixed the pinion gear 222. A usual gear rack 224 is fixed to the under side of table 20 in position to be engaged by pinion 222 when the hand wheel 2 I8 is pressed inward.

According to the invention, an interlock bar or rod 229 has one end pivotally connected by link 22'! to the upper end of the latch lever 200. Its other end portion extends slidably within the bearing part 228 for the hand wheel shaft 220. Rod 226 is annularly grooved at 226, and shaft 220 is similarly annularly grooved at 220'. When the start and stop valve I86 is in its operating position of Fig. 1'7, the non-grooved portion 226a is drawn to the left into the annular groove 220 of shaft 220, thereby locking the shaft against being pushed inward to engage pinion 222 with rack 224. However, as soon as valve I86 shifts to its stop position of Fig. 9, the two an nular grooves 226 and 220 come into registration and wheel shaft 220 and pinion 222 are free to be pushed inward.

Briefly summarizing the operation, the motor '54 will be started by means of a suitable electric control (not shown), which starts pump 52. Assuming that start-stop valve I86 is in its stop position of Fig. 9, and that flow-control valve 62 is in its innermost position of Figs-'4, 14, the pressure fluid from conduit 56 enters chamber 58 and passes through conduit 60 to the flowcontrol-valve 62; whence it passes through valve groove 63 and conduit 64 into the annular groove between spools 68, I0 of table-reversing valve '66. Assuming this latter valve to hem itspositio'n of Figs. 8 and 14, the pressure fluid passes through surface groove I2 and into conduit m (Fig. 9) whence it enters annular groove I9 start-stop valve I 86. From groove I94, it enters exhaust conduit BI b and passes thence'to and through the low pressure check valve I96 (Fig. 15) and through conduits Bld, illc to main return conduit 8 I a leading back to the supply res-' ervoir 50. A safety valve is represented at 51 in Fig. 14, connected across pump conduit 56 and return conduit BIa. Hence, with start-stop valve I86 in its stop position, the pressure fluid re turns to the reservoir 56 without any substantial generation ofheat;

To start travel of table 20, hand lever 2l2 (Figs. 1 and 18) is actuated to draw start-stop valve I 86 to the left to its latched position of Figs. 10, 11, 14-17. Pressure fluid coming to the start-stop valve I86 now enters annular groove I92 therein andpasses on into table conduit 14 to table cylinder 42 for driving table 20 to the left. Simultaneously, fluid from table cylinder 44 exhausts through conduit 16 into annular groove I84 of stop-start valve I86 whence it passes through conduit 16a (Figs. 9-11 and 16) and surface groove 18 of table-reversing valve 66 into the annular groove between spools 10, 80 of the latter valve. From there it passes through conduit 8| (Fig. 15) to and through check valve I 96 and on through conduits 8|, 8Ic to the main return conduit 8Ia (Fig. 1'1).

When table 20 approaches the limit of its travel to the left, one of the table dogs 86 will engage projection 82a (Fig. 12) of lever 82, on the upper end of the table-reversing valve 66, thereby to rotate the latter valve counter-clockwise in Figs. 10, 16. The load-and-fire mechanism of Fig. 13 comes into action to move the valve through that position where the table dog no longer pushes it, the spring 98 re-acting after being compressed to quickly complete the reversing movement of the reversing valve 66, thereby getting the valve past the point of no liquid flow to and through the positions of increasing flow to the other table cylinder. This makes the reversal point a function of space instead of time, and eliminates the lag which is a characteristic of reversing valves of the pilot valve types.

However, during the rotation of the table-reversing valve 66, the cross-feed motor I04, I06 is automatically operated to provide an increment of cross-feed which starts at the beginning of table deceleration and continues through as much of the reversal period as may be required for any pre-set increment of cross-feed. For example, in the disclosed embodiment, the maximum increment of cross-feed requires all of the deceleration period and nearly all of the acceleration period when the table is being operated at a speed of 100 feet per minute while, at a table speed in the neighborhood of 50 feet per minute, the maximum increment of cross-feed is accomplished during the deceleration period alone. Referring to Figs. -8, pressure fluid, at full pressure, is supplied to surface groove I52 of table reversing valve 66. Hence, during the initial counter-clockwise rotation of the valve, the surface groove I52 comes into register with conduit I58 leading to conduit I30 whence the pressure fluid passes through conduit I26 of motor reversing valve I20 and thence to the gear motor I04, I06. Movement of surface groove I52 into and out of registration with conduit I58 is accompanied by gradually increasing of the volume of fluid entering conduit I58 and then gradually decreasing volume, due to the lateral tapering grooves I53, and the interval when fluid passes into conduit I 58 is relatively short. But, according to the invention, it is not the incoming pressure fluid that determines the amount of crossfeed increment, but an adjustable measured quantity of fluid exhausing from the gear motor. The exhaust from the motor passes through pipe conduit I 34 to cross-feed directional valve I20, delivering into surface groove I36 thereof and passing through conduit I38 into cylinder I60 (Fig. 15). However, during the initial counter-clockwise rotation of table-reversing valve 66, the surface groove I64 thereof will have moved out of registration with th outlet I62 from cylinder I60. Hence, exhaust fluid entering cylinder I60 from the gear motor is trapped therein and forces measuring piston I68 along the cylinder until it is stopped against abutment I12, at which time no further exhaust fluid can enter the cylinder,

and motor I 04, I06 stops regardless of whether the inlet thereto may still be open. Hence, the travel of the piston I68, which is manually adjustable by adjustment of abutment I12, predeterminates the amount of exhaust fluid that can enter cylinder I60, and this measured amount of fluid permitted to exhaust from the gear motor determines the amount of each increment of cross-feed.

While measuring piston I68 is being moved along cylinder I60 by incoming exhaust from motor I04, I06, spring I10 is compressed and conditioned for driving the piston I66 inward to drive the exhaust fluid from cylinder I60 as soon as table-reversing valve 66 reaches the limit of its counter-clockwise rotation, at which time its surface groove I66 will have come into register with the outlet conduit I62 from the cylinder. At this time also, the surface groove I52 will have passed out of registration with inlet conduit I58, so that the supply of pressure fluid is cut ofi from the gear motor.

The exhaust fluid driven from cylinder I60 enters surface groove I66 and passes thence into the annular groove between spools 10, 80 of tablereversing valve 66, and passes through conduit 8I (Fig. to and through check valve I86, and on through conduits 8 Id, 8 I0 to main return conduit 8I a.

The check valve I96 maintains a low back pressure in the system which may be of the order of five pounds.

During reciprocation of table 20, its speed of travel may be varied by rotation of flow-control valve 62, and the fluid volume for increment drive of the gear motor continues at the maximum volume regardless of how much the table speed may be throttled.

Reversal of the direction of the increment cross-feed may be attained by pulling cross-feed directional valve I outward to its outermost position in which the annular groove I2Ia registers with conduit I30. Referring to Fig. 14, the wider annular groove I2 I b will then be in register with both conduit I32 of the motor and exhaust conduit I38 leading to cylinder I60. Pipe conduit I34 will be in registration with annular groove I2 Ia. Hence, pressure fluid from conduit I now enters pipe conduit I34 and passes thence to the motor, with the exhaust entering wider annular groove I2Ib and passing thence through conduit I 38 to cylinder 60. The valve surface groove I36 opens into annular groove I2I a.

By setting valve I20 in an intermediate position with annular groove I2Ia in register with conduit I32 of the motor, pressure conduit I30 will be closed and pipe conduit I34 will be in register with surface groove I36, thereby connecting both sides of the motor together for manual cross-feed in either direction. Fig. 4 shows the interlock I40 which positively prevents manual cross-feed excepting when valve I20 is in its intermediate position.

At times when continuous automatic crossfeed may be wanted, flow-control valve 62 may be pulled outward to its outermost position in which its tapering groove 63 registers with conduit I84. This cuts off pressure flow to table-reversing valve 66 and table 20 necessarily will be at rest. The pressure fluid passes through conduit I84 and enters conduit I30 leading to cross-feed directional valve I20, and rapid continuous crossfeed may be attained or a slower cross-feed suit- 17 able for truing wheel I4 may be attained by rotating valve 62.

In prior comparable hydraulic systems, a relatively long reversal time has been necessary to provide an adequate period of time for operation of a cross-feed whose speed unavoidably has been limited because of a prevalent danger of cavitation. The present invention controls the cross-feed by controlling the exhaust from the cross-feed motor, in conjunction witha shockabsorbing decelerating means, thereby eliminating all danger of cavitation and permitting fast table reversal. Heretofore it has been common practice to allow three inches of table travel for table reverse in order to provide time for one increment of cross-feed during a reversal of the table. The time consumed for this three inches of reversing travel of the table is approximately equal to the time it takes the table to travel twelve inches at its regular speed between reversals. Assuming that a six inch work piece is to be ground fiat, in such a prior machine, the time consumed for one traverse of the six inch work piece necessarily will be equal to the time required for the table to travel eighteen inches at its regular speed, which represents a time loss equivalent to twelve inches of table travel at its regular speed. The herein disclosed control of increment cross-feed by controlling the exhaust' from the crossfeed motor, in conjunction with the permitted attendant increased speed of table reversal, greatly reduces such table reversing time losses while getting quiet reversals which are devoid of shock.

Regarding the table reversing valve 66, it has been found desirable to mountthe valve on ball or roller bearings, as represented at 238, 232 in Fig. 8. The bearings should have slightly less clearance than the spools of the valve so that they maintain the valve properly'centered in the bore of the valve block. In the absence of such bearings, the films of oil which form around the spool surfaces might assume slightly eccentric shapes and pressure oil would tend to go into the thicker portions of the films, gradually forcing the spools toward one side of the bore with substantial elimination of the film at that side and eventual build-up of an objectionable amount of friction resisting rotation of the valve.

The bearings 230, 2312 effectively prevent the development of such an unbalanced oil-film condition.

Also, a comparable unbalanced pressure oil condition exists around thegears I04, I86 of the cross-feed motor but the unbalance, according to the invention, is greatly reduced by increasing the clearance between the tops or ends of the gear teeth and the walls of the bores throughout the major portion of the circumference of the gears, and having a close running fit between the tops or ends of the teeth and the bore walls only for short distances at opposite sides of the region of meshing of the gears. This is best seen in Fig. 8 wherein the portions of increased clearance are indicated at 234, 236. A close running fit is necessary at the inlet and exhaust sides of the gears to prevent leakage, and it is important to avoid wear at the tops or ends of the teeth. Hence, the increased clearance portions 234, 236 greatly reduce frictional wear of the teeth as well as reducing the unbalance of oil pressure around the gears- If the running clearance at theinlet and exhaust sides of the gears is equal, and assuming a pressure of 2 10 pounds at the inlet side and 10 pounds at the exhaust side, there will be a pressure drop approximating pounds at the inlet running clearance, a pressure of approximately pounds throughout the increased clearance portions 234, 236, and another drop approximating 100 pounds at the exhaust running clearance. The relatively long equal pressure portions 234,. 236 tend to greatly reduce the unbalance of oil pressure acting on the gears, as compared with the case where a close running clearance extendsfrom inlet to exhaust, with the incident much greater frictional wear of the teeth.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 18, the hand lever 212 for starting reciprocation of table 2% actuates the start and stop valve I86 and the table interlock 226 as earlier described herein. However, the shaft on which lever H2 is fixed has the depending arm 238* fixed thereon for coaction with a dog 240 which is adjustable along the fixed rail 242, whereby travel of both the table 20 and cross-slide or saddle l6 may be stopped automatically following a predetermined amount of travel of the cross-feed slide or-sad dle I6. Preferably a roller 239 is provided on the lower end of depending arm 238for engaging the dog 246 as the depending arm 238, carried on the cross-slide, moves toward thedog. In Fig. 2, the lever 212 is in its on position for traverse of table 28, and dog 240 is shown forward of the depending arm and its roller 239, in position to cam the depending arm and lever 2I'2 clockwise as the cross-slide, moving toward the eye, brings roller 239 into engagement with the dog. This clockwise rotation of the lever shaft effects release of start and stop valve [-86 for biased movement to its stop position, as earlier described, and moves the mechanical table interlock 226 to bring grooves 220' and226' into registration, whereby manual feed of the table by hand wheel 2| 8 is permitted. Hence, both table travel and cross-feed may be stopped. automatically by the adjustable cross-feed dog. 24'), and may be stopped also by manual actuation of lever 2|2. If, after stopping of the power feed, the manual table feed is pushed into operative engagement with rack 224, the start and stop valve [86 cannot be moved to its start position so long as the manual feed continues engaged, because hand wheel shaft 220 will be engaged in groove 226 of interlock rod 226, preventing its movement to the left as viewed in Fig. 18 and thus locking valve I85 against being moved to the left to its start position. Similarly, the manual cross-feed cannot be engaged until the crossfeed directional valve lZil is brought to neutral position because interlock rod Ml] prevents it excepting when notch I48 of the valve shaft is opposite the lower end of the interlock rod [40.

While it presently is considered preferable to have the table-reversing valve 55 rotatable rather than axially movable, comparable results may be attained with an axially movable table-reversing valve as shown in Figs. 21-24. In Fig. 21, the shaft 244 is a vertical shaft on the upper end of which the table-reversing lever 82 of the earlier described form may be fixed. The lower end of shaft 244 has fixed thereon the notched arm 246 whose notch receives pin 248 which projects at one end portion of a table-reversing valve indicated generally at 250. Valve 25!] is axially movable in a suitable valve housing 252 and has the series of spools 256, 256, 258, 250 thereon. Spools 254, 256 are separated by the annular groove 262 which, in the illustrated position of the valve, is in register with the pressure fluid supply conduit 264. The valve, at groove 262 has the radial hole 266 communicating with an axial passage 268 which leads to the central portion of spool 258, at which location two opposite radial holes 210 lead outward through spool 258 from the axial passage 268, these radial holes 210 being shown in communication with cross-feed pressure conduit 2T2. Spool 260 is shown closing the exhaust conduit 214 leading from the crossfeecl motor. As shown, the pressure fluid from pressure conduit 264 is connected to conduit 212 leading to the cross-feed motor, it being assumed that exhaust from the motor is entering a measuring or metering cylinder similar to the cylinder I60 of Fig. 15, the outlet from which is open into exhaust conduit 214. Arm 246 is in a mid-position of its table-reversing travel counterclockwise in Fig. 21. Both conduits 14, 16 leading to table cylinders are substantially closed but, as the valve moves further to the right, pressure fluid in gradually increasing amount is admitted through surface groove 251 to conduit 14 until, shortly, the valve groove 262 will be opposite conduit 14 directing full pressure into the right-hand table cylinder. Simultaneously, conduit 16 is gradually opened to exhaust and the exhaust outlet for conduit 14 is gradually closed, this latter outlet being immediately to the right of spool 256 in Fig. 21. This final reversing movement of the valve to the right closes crossfeed pressure conduit 272 and, when valve groove 216 comes opposite exhaust conduit 214, releases the measured quantity of exhaust from the crossfeed motor, which had been trapped in cylinder I60. A similar result is attained when the valve 250 moves to the left.

It should be understood that the herein represented grinding wheel l4, mounted on a horizontal axis, is exemplary rather than limiting, in that the grinding wheel may be mounted on a vertical slide having a vertical spindle, with a ring type, or a segmental type, of grinding wheel, if desired.

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine tool having a work support and a tool support of which the work support is reciprocable relative to the tool support and one of said supports is movable transversely of the direction of reciprocating travel of the work support, hydraulic means for reciprocating the work support and for moving said transversely movable support, said means comprising a pair of cylinders each having a ram operable therein and each ram being connected to a different end portion of said Work support, a hydraulic motor operable to move said transversely movable support, a unitary valve operable to reverse the directions of travel of said rams by controlling flow :sure fluid is admitted by said value to said hydraulic motor at a predetermined permanently fixed stage in the process of each said reversal and, at another stage in the process of each said reversal, the flow of pressure fluid to sa d hydraulic motor is cut oil by said valve, followed by release through said valve to exhaust fluid from said hydraulic motor upon completion of each. said shifting of said valve.

2. In a machine tool havin a work support and a tool support of which the work support is reciprocable relative to the tool support and one of said supports is movable transversely of the direction of reciprocating travel of the work support, hydraulic means for reciprocating the work support and for moving said transversely movable support, said means comprising a pair of cylinders each having a ram operable therein and each ram being connected to a different end portion of said work support, a hydraulic motor operable to move said transversely movable support, a unitary valve operable to reverse the directions of travel of said rams by controlling flow of fluid to and from said cylinders and also controlling flow of fluid to and from said hydraulic motor, coacting means on said work support and said valve whereby the valve is shifted as the work support approaches each limit of its reciprocating travel, thereby to reverse the direction of travel of the work support, load-and-flre means associated with said valve whereby each said shift of the valve includes a substantial rapid movement of the valve for effecting quick reversal of said work support, said valve, during each shifting thereof, admitting pressure fluid to said hydraulic motor at a predetermined permanently fixed stage in the process of each said reversal and, at another stage in the process of each said reversal, cutting off flow of pressure fluid to said hydraulic motor, followed by releasing through said valve exhaust fluid from said hydraulic motor upon completion of each said shifting of said valve.

3. In a machine tool having a work support and a tool support of which the work support is reciprocable relative to the tool support, hydraulic means for reciprocating the work support comprising a pair of cylinders each having a ram operable therein and each ram being connected to a different end portion of the work support, a substantially hydraulically balanced valve controlling flow of fluid to and from said cylinders and operable to reverse the direction of travel of the work support, said valve having cylindrical portions spaced apart axially along the valve having spaced surface grooves therein at predetermined locations around the peripheries of said cylindrical portions, and there being a separate conduit leading between said valve and each said cylinder and an exhaust conduit leading from said valve, said spaced grooves of the valve being arranged and adapted to register with different ones of said conduits when the valve is at each limit of its movements, and each of said spaced surface grooves having a tapering nozzle portion for gradually reducing and gradually increasing the volume of flow of fluid through said spaced grooves during each reversing operation of said valve thereby to minimize shock in the process of work support reversals.

4. In a machine tool having a work support and a tool support of which the Work support is reciprocable relative to the tool support and one of said supports is movable transversely of the direction of reciprocating travel of the work support, hydraulic means for reciprocating the work support and for moving said transversely movable support, said means comprisinga pair of cylinders each having a ram operable therein and each ram being connected to a difierent end portion oi said work support, a hydraulic motoroperable to move said transversely movable support, a rotary valve controlling flow of fluid to and from said cylinders and to and from said motor, a second valve controlling flow of that fluid going to said rotary valve and thence to a said cylinder but being out of the path of that fluid going tosaid motor, said rotary valve having one set of surface grooves for controlling the work support, and having another set of surface grooves, in permanently fixed relation to said first set, for controlling the hydraulic motor, and said second valve having a circumferential tapering groove whereby manual rotation thereof in one direction reduces flow of fluid to a said cylinder to throttle the work support while the full supply and pressure of fluid continues available for operating the hydraulic motor regardless of how much the work support may be throttled.

5. Ina machine tool having a work support and a tool support of which the work support is reciprocable relative to the tool support and one of said supports is movable transversely of the direction of reciprocating travel of the work support, hydraulic means for reciprocating the work support and for transverse increment feed of said transversely movable support during the process of each reversal of the reciprocating work support, said hydraulic means comprising a hydraulic motor intermittently operable for eifecting said increment transverse feed of said transversely movable support, a unitary valve controlling flow of fluid to and from said work support and to and from said motor and movable as a unit between two positions to effect the said reversals of the reciprocating work support and to effect an operation of said motor during the process of each said reversal, said valve having passage means therein for effecting the said control of flow of fluid to and from said work support and having other passage means therein, in permanently fixed relation to the first mentioned passage means, for eiiecting the said control of flow of fluid to and from said motor, and said valve, when being moved from one to the other of its said two positions, having a portion arranged and adapted to block the escape of fluid exhausting from the motor during each operation of the motor until said valve reaches a predetermined stage in each said movement thereof, at which stage said exhaust fluid from the motor is released through said other passage means in the valve.

6. In a machine tool having a reciprocating work support and a cross-slide supporting said Work support and movable relative thereto, hydraulic means for driving the work support, a hydraulic motor for moving the cross-slide, a unitary valve for effecting the reversals of said work support and for controlling intermittent flow of pressure fluid to said motor, means for accumulating fluid exhausting from the motor during each intermittent operation of the motor, said means having adjustable capacity for accommodating only a predetermined volume of exhaust fluid whereby the motor stalls when said predetermined volume of exhaust fluid fills said accumulating means, and means responsive to an actuation of said valve for releasing said accumulated volume of exhaust fluid only after said valve has cut off the flow of pressure fluid to said motor, said valve having means thereon whereby the unitary valve effects a said reversal of the reciprocating work support and effects an operation of said motor at a predetermined stage in the reversal process, andalso efle'cts theisai'd releasing of accumulated exhaust fluid from the motor at the end of the said reversal process.

7. In a machine tool having a reciprocable work support and a cross-slide movable-transversely of the directions of reciprocating travel of the work support, hydraulic means for reciprocating the work support including conduits leading to and from the work support, and means for throttling the flow of fluid in a said conduit leadingto the work support thereby to reduce the speed of travel of the work support, a hydraulic motor for intermittent increment feed of the cross-slide, inlet and exhaust conduits leading to and from said motor, a single unitary valve controlling said conduits leading to and from the work support for reversing the travel of the work support, conduit means leading from a source of pressure fluid to said throttling means and having a branch conduit by-passing said throttling means on a course leading to said valve, said valve having means coacting with said branch conduitand said motor inlet conduit for admitting the maximum available volume of pressure fluid to said motor during each reversal thereof regardless of throttlingof the work support by said throttling means, thereby to effect intermittent operations of said motor, means in said motor exhaust conduit for accumulating a measured quantity of exhaust fluid from the motor during each operation of the motor, each said measured accumulation of exhaust fluid from the motor predetermining the amount of each increment of cross-slide feed, said valve having means for releasing each said measured accumulation of exhaust fluid at the end of each said reversal thereof and after the supply of pressure fluid to the motor has been cut off.

8. In a machine tool having a reciprocable work support and a cross-slide movable transversely of the directions of reciprocating travel of the work support, hydraulic means for reciprocating the work support, a single unitary valve operable to reverse the travel of the reciprocating work support, adjustable means on the work support for actuating said valve at a predetermined limit of movement of the work support in each direction of its reciprocating travel, a hydraulic motor operable intermittently for moving the cross-slide during each said reversing operation of said valve, conduit means for conducting pressure fluid to said valve, inlet and exhaust conduits leading between said valve and said motor, said valve having means coacting with said conduit means and said motor inlet conduit for admitting pressure fluid to said motor during each reversing actuation of the valve, thereby to effect an operation of the motor, means in said motor exhaust conduit for accumulating a measured quantity of fluid exhausting from the motor during each operation of the motor, thereby to stall the motor when said measured quantity of exhaust fluid has been accumulated, and means responsive to the latter part of each reversing actuation of said valve for releasing said accumulated exhaust fluid only after the supply of pressure fluid to said motor has been cut ofl.

9, In a machine tool having a reciprocable Work support and a cross-slide movable transversely of the directions of reciprocating travel of the work support, hydraulic means for r'ec-ip rocating the work support, a-hydraulic motor operable for moving the cross-slide,avalve oper- 

